Europe, markets and digital sovereignty: the three priorities for Varese’s industrialists
Galdabini: ‘In a complex world, the need for Europe is growing; no country can manage on its own.’ Orsini: ‘The car manufacturers’ letter to the EU is a positive step.’
by Luca Orlando
The absolute need for Europe in an increasingly complex and challenging world. And then there is the need to open up new markets to counter protectionist tendencies, and the urgent need to regain digital sovereignty so as not to be dependent on the choices and priorities of others.
These are the three key strategic priorities set out by Luigi Galdabini, President of Confindustria Varese, to member companies during the annual general meeting held at the Leonardo site in Venegono, one of the region’s leading companies and a flagship of local and national exports.
“Given the complexities of the current situation,” argues Galdabini, “the need for Europe is growing.” And whilst we recognise the need to improve and cut red tape, what is certain is that we are in a situation where ‘no single nation can tackle the great challenges of our time on its own’ and that ‘together we can be stronger, freer and better able to determine our own destiny’. A European pride – he emphasises – that is not nostalgia but a sense of responsibility towards the future.
Another key focus, all the more relevant for a province with a strong international outlook, is exports, with the aim of expanding export markets as much as possible. Whilst Trump’s tariffs have so far had no impact on the region (for Varese, overall growth in 2025 stood at 20%, with a 47% increase in exports to the US), Galdabini hopes for a return to more stable growth. And faced with this scenario of closure across the Atlantic, Europe’s response, following the agreements with Mercosur and India, should continue in the direction of expanding trade outlets, looking first and foremost to Australia and Indonesia.
The third strategic priority is digital sovereignty, ensuring autonomous management of the processing and control of our data assets and related technologies. Data and processes that must be governed and protected because, whilst it is true that sharing was once part of a participatory model of technology and an open economy, the escalation of geopolitical risk has rendered this approach obsolete and dangerous.
